Chapter Two

The light was more steady, but weaker. Collin took the lead, carefully working her way through the debris. The men were unnerved, darkness like this could be found only in booby-trapped temples and the forgotten lowest levels of a dungeon. Hamaf steeled his nerves, his men would look to him for security. Even if they couldn't make out his expression, there would be no mistaking his confident stance.

What was this thing that had fallen from the sky? Why had it come here, to this city? Had it done it on purpose, or was this all just some horrible coincidence?

"Look sir, chairs."
"Chairs?"
"Aye sir, they look comfortable too."
"Why would that matter?"
"Chairs don't exists where there's no one to sit in them."
He blinked at the trooper's logic. It was goofy, but true. Chairs were not a naturally occurring phenomenon, but neither were fluorescent lights and electrical cables. All the signs made a natural origin impossible, but the presence of chairs made it likely that its creators were still within.
"Knives. And watch for movement."
They were getting jittery. The suspense was growing. Every trooper's mind was growing saturated with thoughts of horrors lurking just beyond their perception. Even he was not exempt. Every cable became a tentacle, every flashing light a winking eye, and torn steel seemed the mark of hideous claws. As his heart beat faster he reached to his side and felt the familiar wound steel thread on his sword-hilt. His hand slid over the worn ruby pommel and he thought of his son, who already boasted to his friends of his great valor. Fear did not depart, but he found a new resolve. It no longer mattered what dangers were before them, he would survive them and return to his son.